Sooooo I am 're posting this story from my own account, This was previously posted by Molly2012 - thanks a bunch :) xx

When It's One of Your Own

Gibbs was in the bullpen watching his team as they stood in front of the plasma, his eyes drawn to the youngest yet most deadly team member. Her dark eyes were determinedly glued to the screen, her sharp mind processing and storing all of the information being presented. They were currently reviewing cold cases, a decidedly boring aspect of their working life that, fortunately, they only had to put up with when the crime rate was low. Tony flanked her left side, his hand an inch or so away from hers and their shoulders almost touching. Gibbs could tell that Tony had to make the effort not to actually touch her. The younger man's attraction for the Israeli irked Gibbs, probably because the former marine had it bad for her himself.

He, however, had restraint. He wasn't always crowding her, touching her, constantly trying to talk to her. No, he was more the sit back and admire type. He was waiting for the day that the stunning woman that held his heart showed him a glimmer of hope, some kind of sign that the feeling was mutual. He knew it wasn't a likely possibility but – hell. A man could dream. He was, however, unwilling to jeopardize the dynamic of the team by making a move on her only to be rebuked. That would ultimately lead to her being uncomfortable and even, possibly, changing teams, and that would only happen over his dead body. With that in mind, he had set himself up with a front row seat at the spectacle of his senior field agent's not-so-subtle attempts at flirting.

But Leroy Jethro Gibbs was no fool, and he saw that it ran deeper than that for Tony. He wouldn't say it was love but there was….something. Something in the other man's eyes when he was around Ziva. What that something was Gibbs couldn't discern. Lust definitely played a part, as did attraction, but there was something else. Something that Gibbs found unsettling, yet he couldn't put his finger on it.

Tim, who was stood on Ziva's right side, didn't cause Gibbs any worry. He could tell that the younger agent's feelings for her were strictly that of an older brother towards a sister, albeit a sister who could undoubtedly kick his arse if she so chose. Despite that, there were still instances were he would step in and take care of her, particularly when Tony said something overly offensive or lewd. The big brother in him would make always an appearance, fighting his 'sister's' corner. This was usually rewarded with a bright smile and a quick squeeze when nobody was looking from the woman in question.

Such a situation was taking place now, right in front of him.

'' So Zee-vah, you think the crazy porn star brother is involved in this?"

"Yes, Tony, his alibi is... shirty?"

"Shifty. His alibi is shifty", the senior field agent corrected. "However, I find it interesting that you're thinking of shirts in relation to a porn star. Is our little Israeli having naughty thoughts?"

He paused, enjoying himself.

"Perhaps the removal of shirts? Maybe if you interrogate him, he'll show you a few moves….."

This train of thought was abruptly ended by Tim slapping the back of Tony's head hard, a move usually reserved for Gibbs, but which caused a smirk to cross Ziva's face.

''Thank you, Tim".

Gibbs decided to end this before it escalated and before he himself was tempted to throw another headslap - or a right hook - Tony's way, and a quick "Ziver's right, gear up", was all that was necessary to end the spat before it had properly begun. His team was well trained, and they wasted no time in gathering the required equipment and then heading for the elevator.

Once they were all inside, Gibbs made sure to stand next to Ziva. It had got to the stage where he would take any closeness he could that would still be considered friendly and not over the top. Glancing at her, he was satisfied that Tony had not really irked her too much, and he forced himself to start concentrating on the case in hand. After all, he knew fine well that tonight she would be occupying his thoughts – as she did most nights. Best to keep it professional here and stop thinking of her inappropriately when he should be thinking of other things. If he didn't, he would be distracted and then mistakes would be made. Worse still, his already-weakening resolve would crumble even further. He didn't want to end up making a move.

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Ziva's gut had been right about the porn star brother. After the team had turned up at his home he had panicked and grabbed a kitchen knife, swinging it round wildly in the direction of the team. Before anyone else could react properly, Ziva darted forward and grabbed the hand holding the knife, twisting it around in such a way that the man cried out in pain and dropped the knife to the floor. A swift kick to the groin, and he was on his knees.

Despite knowing how capable she was and how many of these situations she had dealt with before, Gibbs thought his heart was about to stop, and he only started breathing normally again when he was sure the assailant wouldn't be getting up again anytime soon. He was terrified that she would be hurt, and hurt grievously enough that she would be taken away from him. It was a feeling that became stronger every time they encountered a dangerous situation like this, and suddenly he was beginning to feel like he couldn't carry on like that.

He had to speak to her.

Tell her how he felt.

Get some of his feelings off his chest.

It might be the most embarrassing, stupid thing he had ever done. On the other hand, it might be the best.

At least then, she would know – even if she rejected him. And if she ever changed her mind, he would be ready and waiting.